CHAPTER VIII. 



HORSE INDIANS OF PATAGONIA. 



Head — Physiognomy — Stature — Wanderings — Clothing — Armour — 

 Arms — Food — Chase — Property — Huts — Wizards — Marriage — Chil- 

 dren — Health — Illness — Death — Burial — War — Horsemanship — 

 Gambling — Caciques — Superstitions — Warfare — Morality — Disposi- 

 tion — Chups — Zapallos. 



The head of a Patagonian is rathei* broad, but not high ; 

 and, except in a few instances, the forehead is small and low. 

 His hair hangs loosely : it is black, coarse, and very dirty. A 

 fillet which is worn around the top of the head may be intended 

 as an ornament, for it is certainly of no use. The brow is 

 prominent : the eyes are rather small, black, and ever restless. 

 Deficiency of eyebrow adds to the peculiar expression of their 

 eyes; and a mixture of simplicity and shrewdness, daring 

 and timidity, with that singular wild look which is never seen 

 in civilized man, is very conspicuous in the Patagonians. Its 

 immediate effect is to remind one of the necessity of being 

 always on guard while within reach : yet of all savage nations, 

 perhaps the Patagonians are least inclined to attack or deceive 

 strangers. 



In general, the women's stature, physiognomy, and dress, so 

 much resemble those of the men, that, except by their hair, it 

 is difficult for a stranger to distinguish them. 



By nature they have but little hair on either face or body, 

 and that little they try to eradicate. Their faces are roundish, 

 and the width or projection of the cheek-bones makes them 

 look unusually wide. The nose is a little depressed, narrow 

 between the eyes, but broad and fleshy about the nostrils, 

 which are rather large. The mouth is large and coarsely 

 formed, with thick lips. Their teeth are often very good,, 

 though rather large ; and those in front have the peculiarity, 

 which will be discussed when speaking of the Fuegians, of being 

 flattened, solid, and shewing an inner substance. The chin is 



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